Dehumidifier

ABSTRACT

A dehumidifier by which the rate of heat recovery by the heat exchanger for recovering heat can be increased, the power consumption of the heater can be decreased, and by which the amount of dehumidification per a power consumption can be promoted, is disclosed. The dehumidifier  1  comprises a rotor case  31  harboring a dehumidification rotor  2  rotatably and drivably mounted therein, having an opening for dehumidification  38  through which air to be dehumidified passes, and having an opening for regeneration  39  through which air for regeneration passes; a heater  5  for heating the air for regeneration before passing through the opening for regeneration; a heat exchanger for recovering heat  7  which transfers heat of the air for regeneration passing through the second passage section to the air for regeneration passing through the first passage section; a dehumidification passage X harboring a dehumidification fan  3 ; and a regeneration passage Y harboring a regeneration fan  4 . The direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor  2  is set such that the air for regeneration which passed through posterior area C of the dehumidification rotor flows into downstream portion in the second passage section, and that the air for regeneration which passed through anterior area H of the dehumidification rotor flows into upstream portion in the second passage section.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier having adehumidification rotor and a heat exchanger for recovering heat.

BACKGROUND ART

A dehumidifier 1 comprising a rotatably and drivably mounted disk-shapeddehumidification rotor, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, is known (e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,304). The dehumidifier 1 comprises a passage fordehumidification X through which air to be dehumidification isintroduced into the dehumidifier 1 from outside by a dehumidificationfan 3 so as to dehumidify the air by passing through a dehumidificationrotor 2, and through which the dehumidified air is discharged tooutside; and a passage for regeneration Y through which air forregeneration for regenerating the dehumidification rotor 2 is circulatedin the dehumidifier 1.

This passage for regeneration Y comprises a regeneration fan 4 forcirculating the air for regeneration in a closed circuit, a heater 5 forheating the air for regeneration before passing through thedehumidification rotor 2, and a heat exchanger for cooling 6 which coolsthe air for regeneration after passing through the dehumidificationrotor 2. The passage for regeneration Y further comprises a heatexchanger for recovering heat 7 for raising the temperature of the airfor regeneration before passing through the dehumidification rotor 2utilizing the temperature of the air for regeneration after passingthrough the dehumidification rotor 2. By virtue of the heat exchangerfor recovering heat 7, the temperature of the air for regenerationbefore passing the heater 5 is raised so as to decrease the powerconsumption of the heater 5, thereby saving energy.

The dehumidification rotor 2 is harbored in a rotor case 31, and isrotated at a very slow rotation speed of, for example, once per 3minutes, for example. In the rotor case 31, an opening fordehumidification 38 which is so formed as to expose a region of thedehumidification rotor 2, which region is so defined as to have aprescribed central angle in the dehumidification rotor 2, and an openingfor regeneration 39 located in the passage for regeneration which is soformed as to expose a region of the dehumidification rotor, which islocated in an area other than the first-mentioned region having theprescribed central angle, are formed, through which openings the air tobe dehumidified and the air for regeneration for regenerating thedehumidification rotor 2 pass, respectively.

The air to be dehumidified inhaled into the dehumidifier 1 through thepassage for regeneration X is made to pass through the opening fordehumidification 38, during which the moisture in the air is adsorbed bythe dehumidification rotor 2, thereby being dehumidified, and thendischarged to outside. On the other hand, the region of thedehumidification rotor 2, which adsorbed the moisture, enters theopening for regeneration 39 from the opening for dehumidification 38,thereby being regenerated by the air for regeneration and exhaling theadsorbed moisture. The moisture exhaled from the dehumidification rotor2, in the form of vapor, flows in the passage for regeneration, cooledby the heat exchanger for cooling so as to be condensed, and the thusformed condensed water drops onto a drain pan and is collected in areservoir tank 26.

Although the directions of the air to be dehumidified and of the air forregeneration, passing through the dehumidification rotor, are oppositein the mode shown in FIG. 6, a mode in which these directions are thesame, as shown in FIG. 7, is also known. Although the principle ofdehumidification and the operation of the mode shown in FIG. 7 are thesame as those of the mode shown in FIG. 6, the difference in pressurebetween the entrance of the region for dehumidification (the region inthe dehumidification rotor, through which the air to be dehumidifiedpasses) and the entrance of the region for regeneration (the region inthe dehumidification rotor, through which the air for regenerationpasses), as well as the difference in pressure between the exit of theregion for dehumidification and the exit of the region for regeneration,can be made smaller than in the mode shown in FIG. 6 in which thedirections of the air to be dehumidified and the air for regenerationare opposite, so that it is preferred.

With the conventional dehumidifiers (FIGS. 6 and 7) having theabove-described constitutions, at a time point, the anterior area in thedehumidification rotor 2, located anterior in the direction of rotationof the dehumidification rotor 2, has dwelled for a longer time in theopening for regeneration 39 than the posterior area in thedehumidification rotor 2, located posterior in the direction of rotationof the dehumidification rotor 2, so that the anterior area has beenexposed to the heated air for regeneration for a longer time. Therefore,the air for regeneration after passing through the anterior area ishotter than the air for regeneration after passing through the posteriorarea.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With the conventional dehumidifiers, the entire air for regenerationafter passing through the opening for regeneration 39 is mixed and isflown to the heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 in spite of the factthat there is a difference in temperature depending on the position inthe opening for regeneration 39 and so the temperature of the air forregeneration varies depending on the position of the area through whichthe air for regeneration passes.

Thus, the air for regeneration having a high temperature, which passedthrough the anterior area in the dehumidification rotor is cooled by theair for regeneration having a low temperature, which passed through theposterior area in the dehumidification rotor, so that the temperature ofthe entire air for regeneration is lowered and so the rate of heatrecovery by the heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 is decreased. As aresult, it is difficult to raise the temperature of the air to betransferred to the heater 5, so that the amount of dehumidification pera power consumption is low, which is problematic.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problem,and an object thereof is to provide a dehumidifier by which the rate ofheat recovery by the heat exchanger for recovering heat can beincreased, the power consumption of the heater can be decreased, and bywhich the amount of dehumidification per a power consumption can bepromoted.

The present inventor intensively studied to infer that the rate of heatrecovery by the heat exchanger for recovering heat can be increased, andin turn, the power consumption of the heater can be decreased and theamount of dehumidification per a power consumption can be promoted, byimproving the constitution of the heat exchanger for recovering heat andthe direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor, or by providinga flow guide plate which guides the air for regeneration after passingthrough the dehumidification rotor to prescribed positions in the heatexchanger for recovering heat so that the relatively hot air forregeneration which passed through the hot region in the dehumidificationrotor is made to move in one of the passages in the heat exchanger forrecovering heat for a long distance so as to subject the air to heatexchange for a relatively long time, and that the relatively cool airfor regeneration which passed through the relatively cool region in thedehumidification rotor is made to move in one of the passages in theheat exchanger for recovering heat for a short distance so as to subjectthe air to heat exchange for a relatively short time, thereby completingthe present invention.

That is, the present invention provides a dehumidifier comprising:

a rotor case harboring a disk-shaped dehumidification rotor rotatablyand drivably mounted therein, the rotor case having an opening fordehumidification through which air to be dehumidified passes, whichopening is so formed as to expose a region of the dehumidificationrotor, the region being so defined as to have a prescribed central anglein the dehumidification rotor, and the rotor case having an opening forregeneration through which air for regeneration that regenerates thedehumidification rotor passes, which opening for regeneration is soformed as to expose a region of the dehumidification rotor, whichsecond-mentioned region is so defined as to have a central angle and tobe located in an area other than the first-mentioned region;

a heater for heating the air for regeneration before passing through theopening for regeneration;

a heat exchanger for recovering heat, which is separated into a firstpassage section through which the air for regeneration before passingthrough the opening for regeneration passes, and a second passagesection through which the air for regeneration after passing through theopening for regeneration passes, which heat exchanger has a separationwall section that transfers heat of the air for regeneration passingthrough the second passage section to the air for regeneration passingthrough the first passage section;

a dehumidification passage harboring a dehumidification fan that inhalesthe air to be dehumidified from outside and discharges the air afterpassing through the opening for dehumidification; and

a regeneration passage harboring a regeneration fan which flows the airfor regeneration through the first passage section, the heater, theopening for regeneration and the second passage section, in the ordermentioned;

wherein the direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor is setsuch that the air for regeneration which passed through posterior areaof the dehumidification rotor flows into downstream portion in thesecond passage section, which posterior area is located posterior in thedirection of rotation, and that the air for regeneration which passedthrough anterior area of the dehumidification rotor flows into upstreamportion in the second passage section, which anterior area is locatedanterior in the direction of rotation.

The present invention also provides a dehumidifier comprising:

a rotor case harboring a disk-shaped dehumidification rotor rotatablyand drivably mounted therein, the rotor case having an opening fordehumidification through which air to be dehumidified passes, whichopening is so formed as to expose a region of the dehumidificationrotor, the region being so defined as to have a prescribed central anglein the dehumidification rotor, and the rotor case having an opening forregeneration through which air for regeneration that regenerates thedehumidification rotor passes, which opening for regeneration is soformed as to expose a region of the dehumidification rotor, whichsecond-mentioned region is so defined as to have a central angle and tobe located in an area other than the first-mentioned region;

a heater for heating the air for regeneration before passing through theopening for regeneration;

a heat exchanger for recovering heat, which is separated into a firstpassage section through which the air for regeneration before passingthrough the opening for regeneration passes, and a second passagesection through which the air for regeneration after passing through theopening for regeneration passes, which heat exchanger has a separationwall section that transfers heat of the air for regeneration passingthrough the second passage section to the air for regeneration passingthrough the first passage section;

a dehumidification passage harboring a dehumidification fan that inhalesthe air to be dehumidified from outside and discharges the air afterpassing through the opening for dehumidification;

a regeneration passage harboring a regeneration fan which flows the airfor regeneration through the first passage section, the heater, theopening for regeneration and the second passage section, in the ordermentioned; and

a flow guide plate which guides the air for regeneration that passedthrough anterior area of the dehumidification rotor to the upstreamportion in the second passage section, the anterior area being locatedanterior in the direction of rotation, and which guides the air forregeneration that passed through the posterior area of thedehumidification rotor to the downstream portion in the second passagesection, the posterior area being located posterior in the direction ofrotation, which flow guide plate is arranged in the passage forregeneration at a position downstream of the opening for regeneration.

According to the present invention, as mentioned above, the rate of heatrecovery by the heat exchanger for recovering heat may be increased byimproving the constitution of the heat exchanger for recovering heat andthe direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor, or by providinga flow guide plate which guides the air for regeneration after passingthrough the dehumidification rotor to prescribed positions in the heatexchanger for recovering heat so that the relatively hot air forregeneration which passed through the hot region in the dehumidificationrotor is made to move in one of the passages in the heat exchanger forrecovering heat for a long distance so as to subject the air to heatexchange for a relatively long time, and that the relatively cool airfor regeneration which passed through the relatively cool region in thedehumidification rotor is made to move in one of the passages in theheat exchanger for recovering heat for a short distance so as to subjectthe air to heat exchange for a relatively short time. Therefore, thepower consumption by the heater can be decreased and the amount ofdehumidification per a power consumption can be increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining an embodiment ofthe dehumidifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of thedehumidifier shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of thedehumidifier shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the rotor case of the dehumidifier shownin FIG. 1, viewed from the front side.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the rotor case of the dehumidifier, viewedfrom the front side, for explaining a second aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the dehumidification circuit of thedehumidifier according to the present invention and of the conventionaldehumidifier.

FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining another dehumidification circuit ofthe dehumidifier according to the present invention and of theconventional dehumidifier.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the dehumidification rotor and the heatexchanger for recovering heat of a modification of the dehumidifiershown in FIG. 1.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As mentioned above, the dehumidifier according to the present inventionis characterized in that the rate of heat recovery by the heat exchangerfor recovering heat is increased by improving the constitution of theheat exchanger for recovering heat (since the main purpose of this heatexchanger is to heat the air for regeneration before the regeneration ofthe dehumidification rotor by recovering heat from the air forregeneration after regeneration of the dehumidification rotor, this heatexchanger is called “heat exchanger for recovering heat” forconvenience. For short, this heat exchanger may also be called “firstheat exchanger”) and the direction of rotation of the dehumidificationrotor, or by providing a flow guide plate which guides the air forregeneration after passing through the dehumidification rotor toprescribed positions in the heat exchanger for recovering heat so thatthe relatively hot air for regeneration which passed through the hotregion in the dehumidification rotor is made to move in one of thepassages in the heat exchanger for recovering heat for a long distanceso as to subject the air to heat exchange for a relatively long time,and that the relatively cool air for regeneration which passed throughthe relatively cool region in the dehumidification rotor is made to movein one of the passages in the heat exchanger for recovering heat for ashort distance so as to subject the air to heat exchange for arelatively short time, and the other structures may be the same as thoseof the conventional dehumidifier. Therefore, the dehumidificationcircuit of the dehumidifier according to the present invention may bethe same as those of the known dehumidifiers as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.However, the dehumidification circuit is not restricted to that shown inFIG. 6 or 7, but a number of modes having different arrangements of theheat exchanger and different number of heat exchanger are known (e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,304), and these dehumidification circuits may alsobe employed.

First, the characteristic portion of the present invention will bedescribed based on FIG. 4. In the present specification and claims,unless otherwise specified or unless apparent from the context, the sidefrom which the air to be dehumidified is inhaled into thedehumidification rotor is called “front”, “front face”, “frontward”,“front side” or the like, the side from which the dehumidified air isdischarged from the dehumidification rotor is called “rear”, “rearface”, “rearward”, “rear side” or the like, and the side perpendicularto the front side and the rear side is called “lateral side face”,“lateralward” or the like.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the rotor case of the dehumidifier(details will be described later) according to one embodiment of thepresent invention, when viewed from the front side. As shown in FIG. 4,the dehumidifier according to the present invention comprises a rotorcase 31 harboring a disk-shaped dehumidification rotor 2 rotatably anddrivably mounted therein, the rotor case 31 having an opening fordehumidification 38 through which airto be dehumidified passes, whichopening 38 is so formed as to expose a region of the dehumidificationrotor, the region being so defined as to have a prescribed central anglein the dehumidification rotor 2, and the rotor case 31 having an openingfor regeneration 39 through which air for regeneration that regeneratesthe dehumidification rotor 2 passes, which opening for regeneration 39is so formed as to expose a region of the dehumidification rotor 2,which second-mentioned region is so defined as to have a central angleand to be located in an area other than the first-mentioned region. Thedehumidification rotor 2 is rotated as shown by the solid arrows.

A heat exchanger for recovering heat (first heat exchanger) 7 isseparated into a first passage section 8 through which the air forregeneration before passing through the opening for regeneration 39passes, and a second passage section 9 through which the air forregeneration after passing through the opening for regeneration 39passes, which heat exchanger 7 has a separation wall section thattransfers heat of the air for regeneration passing through the secondpassage section 9 to the air for regeneration passing through the firstpassage section 8. The perspective view of the first heat exchanger 7 iswell depicted in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, thefirst passage section 8 is composed of a plurality of pipes, and eachcylindrical wall constituting each of the plurality of pipes correspondsto the “separation wall section” in this embodiment. The second passagesection 9 is formed of the clearance among the above-mentioned pluralityof pipes 8.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the first heat exchanger 7 isarranged at a position located outside of the dehumidification rotor 2,when viewed in radial direction of the dehumidification rotor 2; theseparation wall section is formed such that the first passage section 8extends from rear side to front side of the dehumidification rotor 2;and the second passage section 9 extends, in a prescribed length, alongthe outer periphery of the dehumidification rotor 2.

Since the dehumidification rotor 2 is slowly rotating in the directionshown by the solid arrows, the region denoted by “H” in FIG. 4, that is,the anterior area of the dehumidification rotor, which is locatedanterior in the direction of rotation, has dwelled in the opening forregeneration 39 for a longer time, so that the region has a highertemperature in the regeneration region. In contrast, the region denotedby “C” in FIG. 4, that is, the posterior area of the dehumidificationrotor, which is located posterior in the direction of rotation, hasdwelled in the opening for regeneration 39 for a shorter time, so thatthe region has a relatively low temperature in the regeneration region.Therefore, the temperature of the air for regeneration which passedthrough the anterior area H is higher than that of the air forregeneration which passed through the posterior area C.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the air for regeneration afterpassing through the regeneration region collides to a downstream covermember 50 (see FIG. 3), and then flows to the direction shown by brokenarrows in FIG. 4. That is, the air for regeneration enters the secondpassage section 9 from the lateral side of the heat exchanger forrecovering heat 7, which extends along the outer periphery of thedehumidification rotor 2, and is discharged from the second passage 9after passing through the second passage section 9 along the outerperiphery of the dehumidification rotor 2 for a prescribed distance.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the hot air for regeneration whichpassed through the anterior area H passes through the second passagesection 9 for a longer distance than the relatively cool air forregeneration which passed through the posterior area C. Therefore, moreheat can be recovered from the hot air for regeneration, so that therate of heat recovery is increased. Although some part of the relativelycool air for regeneration which passed through the posterior area Cpasses through the second passage section 9 for a longer distance thansome part of the hot air for regeneration which passed through theanterior area H, as a whole, the hot air for regeneration which passedthrough the anterior area H passes through the second passage section 9for a longer distance than the relatively cool air for regenerationwhich passed through the posterior area C, so that the rate of heatrecovery by the first heat exchanger is increased by the above-describedconstitution. This has been experimentally confirmed (the experimentaldata will be shown later).

The characteristic portion of the second aspect of the present inventionwill now be described based on FIG. 5. The mode shown in FIG. 5 issimilar to the mode shown in FIG. 4, so that description of the similarparts is omitted. In the mode shown in FIG. 5, a flow guide plate 53(shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) is provided in a downstreamcover member 50 (see FIG. 3) arranged at a rear portion of the rotorcase 31. That is, a flow guide plate 53 which guides the air forregeneration that passed through the posterior area C to downstreamportion in the second passage section 9, and which guides the air forregeneration that passed through the anterior area H to upstream portionin the second passage section 9, is provided. As a result, the air forregeneration which passed through the dehumidification rotor 2 is flownin the direction shown by the broken arrows. That is, the entire amountof the air for regeneration after passing through the posterior area Cis guided to downstream portion in the second passage 9, and the entireamount of the air for regeneration after passing through the anteriorarea H is guided to upstream portion in the second passage 9. Therefore,with this mode, the rate of heat recovery by the first heat exchanger ismore promoted than by the mode shown in FIG. 4.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be describedbased on the drawings. The circuit of the preferred embodiment whichwill now be described is shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the dehumidifieraccording to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspectiveview of the main body of the dehumidifier; FIG. 3 is an explodedperspective view of the main body of the dehumidifier viewed from therear side; and FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the rotor case 31 viewedfrom the front side. The constituent elements similar to those of theconventional dehumidifier are denoted by the same reference number anddetailed description thereof is omitted.

A dehumidifier 1 has a longitudinally elongated and laterally widehousing 23 comprising a front cover 21 and a rear cover 22. A main body30 of the dehumidifier is harbored in the housing 23. In the front faceof the housing 23, inlets 24 for inhaling the outside air into thedehumidifier 1 are opened. In the upper side of the housing, an airoutlet 25 for discharging the air dehumidified in the dehumidifier 1 isopened. A reservoir tank 26 is harbored at a lower part of the housing23, which is removable by drawing the tank 26 frontwardly.

The housing 23 harbors a main body 30 of the dehumidifier, whichcomprises a rotor case 31, a fan casing 32, a dehumidification rotor 2,a dehumidification fan 3, a regeneration fan 4, a heat exchanger forcooling 6, a heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 and a drain pan 34.

The rotor case 31 comprises a planar section 35 arranged to face thefront cover 21, and a rotor-harboring section 36 located at the rearside of the planar section 35, which harbors the dehumidification rotor2 rotatably. The dehumidification rotor 2 comprises a honeycomb materialthrough which air can pass along the rotation axis, in which amoisture-adsorbing agent such as zeolite, silica gel, lithium chloride,calcium chloride or the like is retained on the surface or inner sidethereof, which honeycomb material is placed in a ring-shaped frame. Thedehumidification rotor 2 is shaped into the form of a disk, and itscenter of rotation is supported by a rotor case 31. The dehumidificationrotor 2 is connected to a rotor motor 37 through a reducer which is notshown, and is driven to rotate in the anticlockwise direction whenviewed from the front side at a prescribed rotation speed (for example,at a rotation speed of about one revolution per about 3 minutes. Therotation speed is not restricted thereto, and is usually about 1/10 to 1revolution per minute) (see FIG. 4).

In the rotor case 31, an opening for dehumidification 38 through whichthe air to be dehumidified passes, and an opening for regeneration 39through which the air for regeneration passes are formed. The openingfor dehumidification 38 and the opening for regeneration 39 penetratethe rotor case 31 in the front and rear direction so that a part of thefront face 2 a and a part of the rear face 2 b of the dehumidificationrotor 2 are exposed from the openings. The opening for dehumidification38 is opened such that it exposes the region so defined as to have aprescribed central angle in the dehumidification rotor 2 (in the presentmode, about 2/3 range of the rotating region of the rotor). The openingfor regeneration 39 exposes the region (in the present mode, about 1/3range of the rotating region of the rotor) so defined as to have acentral angle and to be located in an area other than theabove-mentioned region exposed by the opening for dehumidification 38,such that it is arranged adjacent to the opening for dehumidification 38in the direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor 2.

In the upper portion of the rotor case 31, a chamber 40 for harboringthe heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 is provided. The heat exchangerfor recovering heat 7 is constituted by retaining a plurality ofparallel pipes (separation wall section) penetrating a pair ofsupporting walls 41 facing each other. The chamber 40 for harboring theheat exchanger for recovering heat is separated by the pipes 42 of theheat exchanger for recovering heat 7 into a first passage section 8 (inthe pipes 42) through which the air for regeneration before passingthrough the opening for regeneration 39 passes and a second passagesection 9 (between the pipes 42) through which the air for regenerationafter passing through the opening for regeneration 39 passes so that theheat of the air for regeneration passing through the second passagesection 9 is transferred to the air for regeneration passing through thefirst passage section 8. In the drawings, the reference numeral 43denotes a cover which closes the upper portion of the chamber 40 forharboring the heat exchanger for recovering heat, so as to form acommunication passage communicating the second passage section 9 and aheat exchanger for cooling 6 later described.

In front of the rotor case 31, a heater 5 and a heat exchanger forcooling 6 are mounted. The heater 5 is for heating the air forregeneration before passing through the opening for regeneration 39, andis heated by supplying electricity.

In the drawing, reference numeral 44 denotes an upper cover member. Theupper cover member 44 separates the opening for dehumidification 38 andthe opening for regeneration 39 at the front side of the rotor case 31,and communicates the first passage section 8 in the chamber 40 forharboring the heat exchanger for recovering heat and the upstream of theopening for regeneration 39, and harbors the heater 5 therein.

The heat exchanger for cooling 6 is constituted by retaining a pluralityof parallel pipes (separation wall section) penetrating a pair ofsupporting walls 45 facing each other. In front of the opening fordehumidification 38, the pipes 46 extends in the up and down direction,and the heat exchanger for cooling 6 is arranged at a position throughwhich the air to be dehumidified before passing through the opening fordehumidification 38 passes. The upper part of the heat exchanger forcooling 6 is communicated to the second passage section 9 of the chamber40 for harboring the heat exchanger for recovering heat through acommunication passage.

This heat exchanger for cooling 6 is mounted on the rotor case 31 suchthat the pipes 46 are held at a somewhat inclined position from thevertical direction (in this mode, inclination angle of about 15°), sothat the surface tension of the condensed water formed in the pipes 46is made unbalanced, thereby preventing the condensed water from dwellingin the pipes 46.

Under the heat exchanger for cooling 6, a drain pan 34 for collectingthe condensed water which is condensed in the pipes 46 and drops. Thedrain pan 34 has a drain hole 47 for introducing the water accumulatedin the drain pan 34 to the reservoir tank 26, and a duct 48 forsupplying the air flown into the drain pan to the regeneration fan 4again. The drain hole 47 has means for collecting the condensed water inthe reservoir tank 26 without allowing air flow.

In rear of the rotor case 31, a downstream cover member 50 and a fancasing 32 are mounted. The downstream cover member 50 separates theopening for dehumidification 38 and the opening for regeneration 39 atthe rear side of the rotor case 31, and communicates the downstream sideof the opening for regeneration 39 and the second passage section 9 ofthe chamber 40 for harboring the heat exchanger for recovering heat.

The fan casing 32 has a structure to form a chamber 49 for harboring thedehumidification fan cooperatively with the rotor case 31 by beingmounted on the rear side of the rotor case 31. In the chamber 49 forharboring the dehumidification fan, a dehumidification fan 3 isrotatably and drivably mounted.

At the upper part of the chamber 49 for harboring the dehumidificationfan, an outlet 51 for discharging the air in the chamber 49 to theoutside is opened, which is communicated to the air outlet 25 of thehousing 23.

Thus, as indicated by the hollow and thick arrows in the drawings, bythe rotation of the driven dehumidification fan 3, the air to bedehumidified is inhaled from outside into the housing 23 through theinlets 24, which is then made to pass through the space between thepipes 46 in the heat exchanger for cooling 6, and is then made to passthrough the opening for dehumidification 38 so as to adsorb the moistureto the dehumidification rotor 2. The dehumidified air is then made toflow into the chamber 49 for harboring the dehumidification fan and isdischarged to the outside of the housing 23 through the outlet 51 on theupper part of the chamber 49 and the air outlet 25. By theabove-mentioned route, the dehumidification passage X (see FIG. 6) isconstituted.

In rear of the fan casing 32, a chamber 52 for harboring theregeneration fan is cooperatively formed by the fan casing 32 and a fancover 33, and the regeneration fan 4 is rotatably and drivably mountedin the chamber 52. The dehumidification fan 3 and the regeneration fan 4are coaxially connected each other at the front and rear side of the fancasing 32, respectively, and are rotatably and drivably mounted by a fanmotor (not shown).

The U-shaped part located at the upper portion of the fan casing 32 isfor heat insulation by covering the downstream cover member 50, and isnot the downstream cover member 50.

The upper portion of the chamber 52 for harboring the regeneration fanis connected to the chamber 40 for harboring the heat exchanger forrecovering heat such that the air for regeneration flown by theregeneration fan 4 passes through the first passage section 8 and entersthe upstream cover member 44. In the lower portion of the chamber 52 forharboring the regeneration fan, the end of the duct 48 of the drain pan34 opens so as to communicate the chamber 52 and the drain pan 34 (seeFIG. 3).

Thus, as shown by the thick arrows in the drawing, by the rotation ofthe driven regeneration fan 4, the air for regeneration in the chamber52 for harboring the regeneration fan is sent to the upper part of thechamber 52, then passes through the first passage section 8 of thechamber 40 for harboring the heat exchanger for recovering heat to movefrom the rear side to the front side of the rotor case 31, and entersthe inner side of the upstream cover member 44.

The air for regeneration then passes through the opening forregeneration 39 after being heated by the heater 5 in the upstream covermember 44 to move from the front side 2 a to the rear side 2 b of thedehumidification rotor 2, then raises in the downstream cover member 50to enter the heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 from the lower face ofthe chamber 40 for harboring the heat exchanger for recovering heat,then passes through the second passage section 9 (between pipes 42) inthe chamber 40 along the longitudinal direction of the heat exchangerfor recovering heat 7 along the outer periphery of the dehumidificationrotor 2, and is then discharged from the downstream portion 9 b in thesecond passage section 9.

The air for regeneration then enters the heat exchanger for cooling 6,cooled by the air to be dehumidified passing through the space betweenthe pipes 46 from the front side to the rear side, and then returns tothe chamber 52 for harboring the regeneration fan after passing throughthe duct 48. By the above-described closed circuit, the regenerationpassage Y (see FIG. 6) is constituted.

According to the dehumidifier 1 having the above-described constitution,by the start of the operation of the dehumidifier 1, the air forregeneration after passing through the opening for regeneration 39enters the second passage section 9 from the lateral side 7A of the heatexchanger for recovering heat 7, which extends along thedehumidification rotor 2, flows in the second passage section 9 alongthe outer periphery of the dehumidification rotor 2, and flows out fromthe end portion 7B which is one of the ends of the heat exchanger forrecovering heat 7 when viewed longitudinally.

The direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor 2 is set suchthat it is rotated in the direction (anticlockwise in the drawings)opposite to the direction of flow of the air for regeneration flowing inthe second passage section 9. Therefore, the air for regeneration whichpassed through the anterior area H located anterior in the direction ofrotation of the dehumidification rotor 2 in the opening for regeneration39 enters the upstream portion 9 a of the second passage section 9 fromthe lateral side 7A, moves along the longitudinal direction of the heatexchanger for recovering heat 7 in the second passage section 9 alongthe outer periphery of the dehumidification rotor 2 and then flows outfrom the downstream portion 9 b in the second passage section 9. On theother hand, the air for regeneration which passed through the posteriorarea C located posterior in the direction of rotation of thedehumidification rotor 2 enters the downstream portion 9 b in the secondpassage section 9 from the lateral side 7A, and passes through thesecond passage section 9 for a short time.

Since the anterior area H located anterior in the direction of rotationof the dehumidification rotor has dwelled in the opening forregeneration 39 for a longer time than the posterior area C locatedposterior in the direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor,the anterior area H has been exposed to the heated air for regenerationfor a longer time, so that it is hotter than the posterior area C.Further, since the water content therein has become smaller, the amountof the moisture evaporated by the heat from the heater 5 is smaller, sothat less heat of vaporization is taken. Therefore, the temperature ofthe air for regeneration which passed through the anterior area H ishigher than the air for regeneration which passed through the posteriorarea C.

Thus, the hot air for regeneration can be made to pass through thesecond passage section 9 for a long distance from the upstream portion 9a to the downstream portion 9 b, and the cool air for regeneration canbe made to enter the second passage section 9 from the downstreamportion 9 b and can be discharged therefrom in a short time. By this,the heat of the hotter air can be transferred to the air forregeneration passing through the first passage section 8, that is, theair for regeneration before passing the heater 5, so that thetemperature of the air for regeneration can be raised.

As a result, the rate of recovery of heat by the heat exchanger forrecovering heat 7 can be increased, and the heating capacity of theheater 5 may be made smaller.

Therefore, the amount of dehumidification per a power consumption can beincreased and the dehumidification ability of the dehumidifier 1 can bepromoted.

(Second Mode)

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the rotor case of the dehumidifier, viewedfrom the front side, for explaining a second mode of the presentinvention. The constituent elements similar to those in the first modeare denoted by the same reference number and detailed descriptionthereof is omitted. The characteristic feature of this mode is that aflow guide plate 53 for positively guiding the air for regenerationwhich passed through the anterior area H located anterior in thedirection of rotation of the dehumidification rotor to the upper portion9 a of the second passage section 9, which flow guide plate 53 isarranged in the downstream cover member 50 in the regeneration passageY.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flow guide plate 53 extends from the vicinity ofthe center of rotation of the dehumidification rotor 2 to the outerperiphery of the dehumidification rotor 2, and further extends to thevicinity of the upstream portion 9 a of the second passage section 9,thereby separating the downstream cover member 50 into the regioncovering the anterior area H and the region covering the other areaincluding the posterior area C.

Therefore, the air for regeneration which passed through the anteriorarea H alone may be positively guided to the upstream portion 9 a in thesecond passage 9, so as to surely make it enter the upstream portion 9a, thereby preventing the air for regeneration which passed through theanterior area H from being mixed with the air for regeneration whichpassed through an area other than the anterior area H and so from beingcooled.

In this mode, since the direction of rotation of the dehumidificationrotor 2 and the direction of the flow of the air for regenerationflowing in the second passage section 9 are counter (opposite), the airfor regeneration which passed through the anterior area H can be made toenter the upstream portion 9 a by merely separating the inner space ofthe downstream cover member 50 into two chambers. Thus, the structuresof the downstream cover member 50 and of the flow guide plate 53 can bemade simple, so that the mode may easily be practiced.

Although in the above-described second mode, an example wherein thesecond passage section 9 of the heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 isshorter (smaller) than the opening for dehumidification 38 wasdescribed, the flow guide plate 53 may also be used in cases where theopening for dehumidification 38 and the heat exchanger for recoveringheat 7 are long (big).

For example, although not shown, with a dehumidifier 1 according toanother embodiment wherein the prescribed central angle of the openingfor regeneration 39 is 180°, and the heat exchanger for recovering heat7 is so arranged as to cover a half of the outer periphery thereof likea half donut, the volume of the passage from the opening forregeneration 39 to the chamber 40 for harboring the heat exchanger forrecovering heat via the downstream cover member 50 is large.

With such a constitution, by providing a flow guide plate 53 in theregeneration passage Y, the air for regeneration which passed throughthe anterior area H can be made to enter the upstream portion 9 awithout being mixed with the air for regeneration which passed throughthe posterior area C.

The present invention is not restricted to the above-described modes,and various modifications may be made without departing from the spiritof the present invention. For example, in the modes described above,dehumidifier 1 in which the dehumidification rotor 2 is held verticallywas described, the present invention may be applied to a dehumidifier inwhich the dehumidification rotor 2 is held horizontally.

Further, although in the above-described first and second modes, theheat exchanger for recovering heat 7 in which the first passage section8 and the second passage section 9 are separated such that they crossperpendicularly, a heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 in which thefirst passage section 8 and the second passage section 9 extend inparallel along the outer periphery of the dehumidification rotor 2 for aprescribed distance may be used, and the air for regeneration n thefirst passage section 8 and the air for regeneration in the secondpassage section 9 flow in counter directions. An example of this mode isschematically shown in FIG. 8. The lower drawing in FIG. 8 is anenlarged view of a part of the heat exchanger for recovering heat 7shown in the upper drawing.

According to this, the regeneration passage Y is constituted such thatthe air for regeneration passes through the first passage section 8along the outer periphery of the dehumidification rotor 2 for aprescribed distance to move from the rear side 2 b of thedehumidification rotor 2 to the front side 2 a, then passes through theopening for regeneration 39 after being heated by the heater 5 to moveto the rear side 2 b of the dehumidification rotor 2 from the front side2 a, then enters the second passage section 9 of the heat exchanger forrecovering heat 7 from the lateral side 7A, and then flows out from thesecond passage section 9 after passing through the second passage 9 fora prescribed distance along the outer periphery of the dehumidificationrotor 2.

Thus, the distances of the first passage section 8 and of the secondpassage section 9 may be made long, so that the rate of heat recovery bythe heat exchanger for recovering heat 7 may be further promoted.Further, since the air for regeneration in the first passage section 8and the air for regeneration in the second passage section 9 flow incounter directions, the heat of the air for regeneration in the secondpassage section 9 can be transferred to the air for regeneration in thefirst passage section 8 with a high efficiency, so that the rate of heatrecovery may be further promoted.

In FIG. 8, although the first passage section and the second passagesection are depicted as a single passage, respectively, the firstpassage section may be constituted by a plurality of pipes and thesecond passage section may be constituted by the space between theplurality of pipes as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Further, in FIG. 8, although the lateral side 7A of the heat exchangerfor recovering heat 7 has two openings, and the hot air which passedthrough the anterior area H is flown to the opening at upstream side,and the cool air which passed through the posterior area C is flown tothe opening at downstream side, these two openings may be continuous asin the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Since the second passage section 9extends along the dehumidification rotor 2, if the opening forregeneration 39 and the lateral side 7A of the heat exchanger forrecovering heat 7 are close, the hot air which passed through theanterior area H flows into the upstream opening and the cool air whichpassed through the posterior area C flows into the downstream opening.If the opening for regeneration 39 and the lateral side 7A of the heatexchanger for recovering heat 7 are apart from each other so that thehot air and the cool air are mixed, a flow guide plate 53 may beprovided as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

According to the dehumidifier of the present invention, since thedirection of rotation of the dehumidification rotor is set such that theair for regeneration which passed through posterior area of thedehumidification rotor flows into downstream portion in the secondpassage section, which posterior area is located posterior in thedirection of rotation, and that the air for regeneration which passedthrough anterior area of the dehumidification rotor flows into upstreamportion in the second passage section, which anterior area is locatedanterior in the direction of rotation, the hot air for regenerationwhich passed through the hot and dry anterior area that dwells in theopening for regeneration for a longer time than the posterior area canbe made to flow into the upstream portion of the first passage section,and the cool air for regeneration which passed through the posteriorarea can be made to flow into the downstream portion of the secondpassage section.

Therefore, the hot air for regeneration can be made to pass through thesecond passage section for a long distance from the upstream portion tothe downstream portion thereof, and the cool air for regeneration whichpassed through the posterior area can be made to flow into thedownstream portion so that it passes through the second passage sectionfor a short time. Therefore, the rate of heat recovery by the heatexchanger for recovering heat can be increased, and the amount ofdehumidification per a power consumption by the heater can be increased,thereby promoting the dehumidification ability of the dehumidifier.

Further, according to the other invention, since the air forregeneration which passed through the anterior area located anterior inthe direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor is guided to theupstream portion of the second passage section, and the air forregeneration which passed through the posterior area located posteriorin the direction of rotation of the dehumidification rotor is guided tothe downstream portion of the second passage section, the hot air forregeneration can be made to pass through the second passage section fora long distance from the upstream portion to the downstream portionthereof, and the cool air for regeneration which passed through theposterior area can be made to flow into the downstream portion so thatit passes through the second passage section for a short time.Therefore, the rate of heat recovery by the heat exchanger forrecovering heat can be increased, and the amount of dehumidification pera power consumption by the heater can be increased, thereby promotingthe dehumidification ability of the dehumidifier.

To prove this, the dehumidifier shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 was prepared, andthe amounts of dehumidification when the direction of rotation of therotor was anticlockwise (example of the present invention) and when thedirection of rotation of the rotor was clockwise (comparative example)were measured. The diameter of the dehumidification rotor was 25 cm, thethickness thereof was 1.3 cm, and the rotation speed of thedehumidification rotor was ⅓ revolution per minute.

The results are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Direction of Dehumidification Heater Power DehumidificationRotation Amount (g/h) (Wh) Efficiency (g/Wh) Anticlockwise 295.0 437.50.674 (the invention) Clockwise 261.2 436.5 0.598 (comparative example)Atmosphere of Experiment: 25° C., 60% RH; Flow rate of air to bedehumidified: 330 m³/h; Flow rate of air for regeneration: 20 m³/h

As shown in Table 1, the dehumidification efficiency of the example ofthe present invention was higher than that of the comparative example by13%. Thus, it was confirmed that the dehumidification efficiency ispromoted by the present invention.

1. A dehumidifier comprising: a rotor case harboring a disk-shapeddehumidification rotor rotatably and drivably mounted therein, saidrotor case having an opening for dehumidification through which air tobe dehumidified passes, which opening is so formed as to expose a regionof said dehumidification rotor, said region being so defined as to havea prescribed central angle in said dehumidification rotor, and saidrotor case having an opening for regeneration through which air forregeneration that regenerates said dehumidification rotor passes, whichopening for regeneration is so formed as to expose a region of saiddehumidification rotor, which second-mentioned region is so defined asto have a central angle and to be located in an area other than saidfirst-mentioned region; a heater for heating the air for regenerationbefore passing through said opening for regeneration; a heat exchangerfor recovering heat, which is separated into a first passage sectionthrough which the air for regeneration before passing through saidopening for regeneration passes, and a second passage section throughwhich the air for regeneration after passing through said opening forregeneration passes, which heat exchanger has a separation wall sectionthat transfers heat of said air for regeneration passing through saidsecond passage section to said air for regeneration passing through saidfirst passage section; a dehumidification passage harboring adehumidification fan that inhales said air to be dehumidified fromoutside and discharges the air after passing through said opening fordehumidification; and a regeneration passage harboring a regenerationfan which flows said air for regeneration through said first passagesection, said heater, said opening for regeneration and said secondpassage section, in the order mentioned; wherein the direction ofrotation of said dehumidification rotor is set such that the air forregeneration which passed through posterior area of saiddehumidification rotor flows into downstream portion in said secondpassage section, which posterior area is located posterior in thedirection of rotation, and that the air for regeneration which passedthrough anterior area of said dehumidification rotor flows into upstreamportion in said second passage section, which anterior area is locatedanterior in the direction of rotation.
 2. The dehumidifier according toclaim 1, wherein said heat exchanger for recovering heat is arranged ata position located outside of said dehumidification rotor, when viewedin radial direction of said dehumidification rotor; said separation wallsection is formed such that said first passage section extends from rearside to front side of said dehumidification rotor, and that said secondpassage section extends, in a prescribed length, along the outerperiphery of said dehumidification rotor; said passage for regenerationis constituted such that said air for regeneration passes through saidfirst passage section to move from the rear side to front side of saiddehumidification rotor, then passes through said opening forregeneration to move from the front side to the rear side of saiddehumidification rotor after passing said heater, then flows to saidheat exchanger for recovering heat, then flows into said second passagesection from the lateral side of said heat exchanger for recoveringheat, extending along said dehumidification rotor, and then flows out ofsaid second passage section after passing through said second passagesection in a prescribed distance along the outer periphery of saiddehumidification rotor; and wherein the direction of rotation of saiddehumidification rotor is set opposite to the direction of flowing ofsaid air for regeneration flowing in said second passage section.
 3. Thedehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger forrecovering heat is arranged at a position located outside of saiddehumidification rotor, when viewed in radial direction of saiddehumidification rotor; said separation wall section is formed such thatsaid first passage section extends from rear side to front side of saiddehumidification rotor, and that said second passage section extends, ina prescribed length, along the outer periphery of said dehumidificationrotor; said passage for regeneration is constituted such that said airfor regeneration passes through said first passage section to move fromthe rear side to front side of said dehumidification rotor, then passesthrough said opening for regeneration to move from the front side to therear side of said dehumidification rotor after passing said heater, thenflows to said heat exchanger for recovering heat, then flows into saidsecond passage section from the lateral side of said heat exchanger forrecovering heat, extending along said dehumidification rotor, and thenflows out of said second passage section after passing through saidsecond passage section in a prescribed distance along the outerperiphery of said dehumidification rotor; the direction of rotation ofsaid dehumidification rotor is set opposite to the direction of flowingof said air for regeneration flowing in said second passage section; andwherein said dehumidifier is constituted such that said air forregeneration in said first passage section flows in the directionopposite to the direction of flowing of said air for regeneration insaid second passage section.
 4. The dehumidifier according to any one ofclaims 1 to 3, further comprising a flow guide plate which guides saidair for regeneration that passed through said anterior area of saiddehumidification rotor to upstream portion in said second passagesection, and which guides said air for regeneration that passed throughsaid posterior area of said dehumidification rotor to downstream portionin said second passage section, which flow guide plate is arranged insaid passage for regeneration at a position downstream of said openingfor regeneration.
 5. A dehumidifier comprising: a rotor case harboring adisk-shaped dehumidification rotor rotatably and drivably mountedtherein, said rotor case having an opening for dehumidification throughwhich air to be dehumidified passes, which opening is so formed as toexpose a region of said dehumidification rotor, said region being sodefined as to have a prescribed central angle in said dehumidificationrotor, and said rotor case having an opening for regeneration throughwhich air for regeneration that regenerates said dehumidification rotorpasses, which opening for regeneration is so formed as to expose aregion of said dehumidification rotor, which second-mentioned region isso defined as to have a central angle and to be located in an area otherthan said first-mentioned region; a heater for heating the air forregeneration before passing through said opening for regeneration; aheat exchanger for recovering heat, which is separated into a firstpassage section through which the air for regeneration before passingthrough said opening for regeneration passes, and a second passagesection through which the air for regeneration after passing throughsaid opening for regeneration passes, which heat exchanger has aseparation wall section that transfers heat of said air for regenerationpassing through said second passage section to said air for regenerationpassing through said first passage section; a dehumidification passageharboring a dehumidification fan that inhales said air to bedehumidified from outside and discharges the air after passing throughsaid opening for dehumidification; a regeneration passage harboring aregeneration fan which flows said air for regeneration through saidfirst passage section, said heater, said opening for regeneration andsaid second passage section, in the order mentioned; and a flow guideplate which guides said air for regeneration that passed throughanterior area of said dehumidification rotor to the upstream portion insaid second passage section, said anterior area being located anteriorin the direction of rotation, and which guides said air for regenerationthat passed through said posterior area of said dehumidification rotorto the downstream portion in said second passage section, said posteriorarea being located posterior in the direction of rotation, which flowguide plate is arranged in said passage for regeneration at a positiondownstream of said opening for regeneration.
 6. The dehumidifieraccording to claim 5, wherein said heat exchanger for recovering heat isarranged at a position located outside of said dehumidification rotor,when viewed in radial direction of said dehumidification rotor; saidseparation wall section is formed such that said first passage sectionextends from rear side to front side of said dehumidification rotor, andthat said second passage section extends, in a prescribed length, alongthe outer periphery of said dehumidification rotor; and wherein saidpassage for regeneration is constituted such that said air forregeneration passes through said first passage section to move from therear side to front side of said dehumidification rotor, then passesthrough said opening for regeneration to move from the front side to therear side of said dehumidification rotor after passing said heater, thenflows to said heat exchanger for recovering heat, then flows into saidsecond passage section from the lateral side of said heat exchanger forrecovering heat, extending along said dehumidification rotor, and thenflows out of said second passage section after passing through saidsecond passage section in a prescribed distance along the outerperiphery of said dehumidification rotor.
 7. The dehumidifier accordingto claim 5, wherein said heat exchanger for recovering heat is arrangedat a position located outside of said dehumidification rotor, whenviewed in radial direction of said dehumidification rotor; saidseparation wall section is formed such that said first passage sectionand said second passage section extend in a prescribed length, along theouter periphery of said dehumidification rotor; and wherein said passagefor regeneration is constituted such that said air for regenerationpasses through said first passage section to move from the rear side tofront side of said dehumidification rotor, then passes through saidopening for regeneration to move from the front side to the rear side ofsaid dehumidification rotor after passing said heater, then flows tosaid heat exchanger for recovering heat, then flows into said secondpassage section from the lateral side of said heat exchanger forrecovering heat, extending along said dehumidification rotor, and thenflows out of said second passage section after passing through saidsecond passage section in a prescribed distance along the outerperiphery of said dehumidification rotor.
 8. The dehumidifier accordingto claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger for cooling which coolsthe air for regeneration after passing through said second passagesection so as to condense moisture, thereby separating the moisture fromthe air for regeneration.
 9. The dehumidifier according to claim 8,wherein said heat exchanger for cooling is arranged at a positionanterior to said opening for dehumidification, by which the air forregeneration after passing through said second passage section is cooledusing the air to be dehumidified before passing through said opening fordehumidification.
 10. The dehumidifier according to claim 8, whereinsaid air for regeneration after passing through said heat exchanger forcooling is returned to a position upstream of said first passagesection, and wherein said passage for regeneration constitutes a closecircuit.